The historic event came just a week after both networks revealed the longest-running Kapamilya noontime show is moving from TV5 to the Kapuso channel GTV.
It’s official! ‘It’s Showtime’ is now a Kapuso!
After being a Kapatid noontime show for nearly a year, the 14-year-old Kapamilya program is now set to air on GTV, GMA Network’s other free-to-air channel. This was sealed by the official contract signing event attended by the hosts of the show and the executives of both ABS-CBN and GMA Network. The historic moment happened on June 28 at the Seda Hotel in Quezon City.
In what many see as a shocking move by the Vice Ganda-led TV show, ABS-CBN has officially joined its rival network in the past. The move of ‘It’s Showtime’ to the Kapuso channel also coincides with the return of the legendary trio, TVJ (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon), to noontime on July 1 via a still-unnamed show on TV5.
The move of ‘It’s Showtime’ to GTV is considered by many as a blessing in disguise because the Kapuso channel has a wider nationwide coverage. According to a report by Nielsen Philippines, the Kapuso channel ranks second among free-to-air channels in terms of audience share in 2022. As a TV network, GTV operates at least 27 analog TV stations in the country. It is also a sub-channel under every GMA Network digital TV station, which means that the channel has a far wider reach than TV5. Will that translate to higher viewership? One must note that with TV5 and A2Z’s limited free TV reach alone, ‘It’s Showtime’ has already ruled the noontime slot several times since the shutdown of ABS-CBN.
As for the big contract-signing event, the chief executives of both networks were present. From ABS-CBN were Chairman Mark Lopez, CEO and President Carlo Katigbak, and Chief Operating Officer Cory Vidanes. From GMA Network were Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon, Chief Operating Officer Gilberto Duavit, Jr., and Senior Vice President Atty. Anette Gozon.
In his speech, Katigbak thanked his GMA counterparts, noting how quickly their negotiation went after he reached out to Anette Gozon about the possibility of moving ‘It’s Showtime’ to GTV.
“Salamat sa pagtanggap ninyo sa Showtime at pagyakap muli sa ABS-CBN. Thank you for your kindness, GMA,” he said.
Chairman Felipe Gozon also expressed his gratitude to ABS-CBN for choosing GTV as the new home of ‘It’s Showtime,’ calling the momentous event as a sign that the so-called ‘TV war’ is no longer a thing.
“Puwede na nating sabihin na ‘yung mga sinasabi ng mga media practitioners na TV war, is over, at ang makikinabang dito ay ang mga manonood,” he shared, citing the previous collaborations between ABS-CBN and GMA Network.
Vice Ganda, Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Kim Chui, Karylle, Jhong Hilario, Ogie Alcasid, Amy Perez, Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpuz, Ryan Bang, and the rest of the show’s roster of hosts were also present at the event. In his speech, the Unkabogable Phenomenal Box Office star Vice Ganda likened the new collaboration to the Filipino trait ‘bayanihan.’
“Ang GMA ay Pilipinong Pilipino na parang kapitbahay na sa oras ng pangangailangan ay handang mag-alay ng bayanihan sa nangangailangan nilang kapwa Pilipino,” he said, commending the GMA management.
He also took the chance to appreciate his ABS-CBN bosses.
“Ang ABS-CBN ay kumakatawan sa lahat ng magulang. Yung kahit anong kaharapin ng anak, kahit anong danasin ng bahay nila, ng pamilya nila, yung mga magulang hinding hindi titigil humanap ng paraan para maitaguyod ang pamilya,” he noted, adding that the two networks coming together is a resounding story of triumph for Filipinos.
“Ito ay istorya ng tagumpay para sa akin, para sa mga bosses, at higit sa lahat, para sa mga madlang pipol na sumusubaybay sa programa namin.”
‘It’s Showtime’ will be on a head-to-head battle with the new ‘Eat Bulaga!’ and the new TVJ show on TV5 at exactly 11:30 am this Saturday, July 1.
